Arabic Fluency Roadmap

Author
Affiliation

Liban Hussein

Lisan Project

Published

June 16, 2025

1 Arabic Fluency Roadmap: A Structured Guide to B2 in 8 Months

(c) 2025 Liban Hussein

Ahlan! This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the topics and vocabulary you’ll master to reach B2 proficiency—enabling fluency in complex discussions, media analysis, and professional contexts.

I remember the first time I tried to speak Arabic outside the mosque- my mind went completely blank. I could recite and undestand Qur’an, but asking friends about a sports match they watched or discussing events in Arabic? Total disaster. For years, I’ve been stuck in this weird middle ground - classical texts make sense, but casual conversations felt impossible to engage in. It’s frustrating when your brain knows the language but your mouth refuses to cooperate.

Here’s the truth I’ve learned: Understanding Arabic and speaking it fluently are two completely different skills. And I’ve neglected the speaking part for too long. This guide is my public commitment to change that. No more hiding behind passive understanding. No more avoiding conversations. By December ’s end, 2025, insha’Allah:

My goals are to:

  • Speak spontaneously without mental translation
  • Conjugate verbs correctly in real-time conversations
  • Discuss complex topics beyond just religion
  • Translate short classical texts, including works and poems by Imām al-Shāfiʿī [Diwan al-Shāfiʿī]
  • Recite and understand portions of the Qur’an, ḥadīth, and duʿāʾ with insight into their grammar and rhetorical style
  • Write short essays and reflections in Arabic on Islamic and cultural topics
  • Participate in discussions and lessons conducted fully in Arabic
  • Finally feel confident calling myself fluent — as a student of the language of the Qur’an

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about bridging the gap between what I understand and what I can express. That’s the mission of the Lisan Project.

What’s Inside the Lisan Project Roadmap:

  1. Grammar Foundations
    • Verb conjugations (past/present/command), noun gender/plural rules, sentence structures.
  2. Core Vocabulary by Theme
    • Daily life (family, work, travel), Islamic terms, media Arabic, and academic phrases.
  3. Key Skills per Level
    • A1-A2: Basic dialogues, introductions, and high-frequency verbs.
    • B1-B2: Complex sentences, opinions, and cultural nuances.
    • C1 Mastery: Critiquing texts, understanding dialects in media, and formal writing.
  4. Thematic Chapters
    • Household items, professions, health, holidays, etc.—each with targeted word lists.
Quote

“العلم لا يُعطِيكَ بعضَهُ حتّى تُعطِيَهُ كلَّك، فإذا أعطَيتَهُ كلَّك، أعطاكَ بعضَهُ”

“Knowledge will not give you part of itself until you give it all of yourself. And when you give it all of yourself, it will still only give you part of itself.”

2 Introduction

This document is a comprehensive companion to an 8-month Arabic language learning journey based on the textbook At-Takallum: A Comprehensive Modern Arabic Course.

It serves as a central hub for:

  • Detailed study notes
  • Thematic and contextual vocabulary lists
  • Practice exercises for grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking
  • Supplementary resources for cultural and religious enrichment
  • Tracking overall progression across all learning levels

The learning journey is divided into three stages, each aligned with a CEFR proficiency level and structured around thematic chapters designed to gradually build language skills in context.

2.1 Elementary Level (A1 Proficiency)

The Elementary Book consists of 8 foundational chapters focused on everyday communication and basic vocabulary:

  1. Greetings and Introductions
  2. Family and Relationships
  3. School and Studies
  4. Food and Eating Habits
  5. Telling Time and Discussing Prices
  6. Holidays and Vacations
  7. Daily Routines and Activities
  8. Weather and Clothing

2.2 Pre-Intermediate Level (B1 Proficiency)

The Pre-Intermediate Book continues with more complex sentence structures and a wider vocabulary, divided into the following 8 thematic units:

  1. Exploring Cairo and Transportation
  2. Housing and Daily Living
  3. Health and Well-being
  4. Shopping and Markets
  5. Jobs and the Workplace
  6. Tourist Attractions and Historical Sites
  7. Sports and Hobbies
  8. Past Memories and Storytelling

2.3 Intermediate Level (B2 Proficiency)

The Intermediate Book builds toward fluency, focusing on abstract topics and culturally rich discussions:

  1. Describing People and Character Traits
  2. Religious Celebrations and Eid Traditions
  3. Humor and Storytelling
  4. Nature and Environmental Issues
  5. World Cultures and Social Traditions
  6. Arabic Proverbs, Sayings, and Wisdom
  7. Famous Historical Figures
  8. The Role of Education and Learning

2.3.1 Materials and Resources

  • Supplementary notes, vocabulary decks, and grammar exercises
  • Cultural and religious content to enrich learning context
  • Translation practice using classical texts
Note

This document will evolve over time to reflect ongoing progress, feedback, and new materials. Contributions and suggestions are welcome.

3 التَّعَارُف – Introducing Yourself

Making a great first impression starts with the basics: greetings, names, nationalities, and simple questions. This unit introduces essential vocabulary and expressions for everyday social interactions — from saying hello to telling someone where you’re from.

Use the table below to familiarize yourself with the most common phrases used in first encounters.

Watch This!

Here’s a helpful video that provides some pretty solid techniques for memorizing new vocabulary:
7 Insanely Effective Techniques to Memorize Vocabulary in a New Language

3.1 Key Vocabulary and Phrases

English Arabic
Peace be upon you! السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ
And peace be upon you! وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامُ
Good morning! صَبَاحُ الْخَيْرِ / صَبَاحُ النُّورِ
How are you? كَيْفَ حَالُكَ؟ / كَيْفَ الْحَالُ؟
Fine, al-Hamdulillah بِخَيْر / بِخَيْر وَالْحَمْدُ لِلّٰه
Welcome! أَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا / مَرْحَبًا
Welcome to you أَهْلًا بِكَ / مَرْحَبًا بِكَ
What is your name? مَا اسْمُكَ؟
My name is … اِسْمِي …
Where are you from? مِنْ أَيْنَ أَنْتَ؟
I am Egyptian أَنَا مِصْرِيٌّ
I am from Egypt أَنَا مِنْ مِصْرَ
Good evening! مَسَاءُ الْخَيْرِ / مَسَاءُ النُّورِ
Nice to meet you تَشَرَّفْنَا / فُرْصَة طَيِّبَة / سَعِيدَة
Goodbye / Farewell فِي أَمَانِ اللّٰه / مَعَ السَّلَامَة / إِلَى اللِّقَاءِ
Job / Profession / Work وَظِيفَة / مِهْنَة / عَمَل
Student طَالِب / تِلْمِيذ
Teacher مُعَلِّم / مُدَرِّس / أُسْتَاذ
Translator مُتَرْجِم
Worker / Laborer عَامِل
Friend / Colleague صَدِيقَة / زَمِيلَة
Carpenter نَجَّار
Retired مُتَقَاعِد
Journalist صَحَفِيّ
Accountant مُحَاسِب
Mobile phone هَاتِف مَحْمُول
Landline phone هَاتِف ثَابِت / أَرْضِي
Email بَرِيد إِلِكْتِرُونِي
Address عُنْوَان
Unemployed عَاطِل
He works يَعْمَلُ
Try This!

Try translating the following English phrases into Arabic using only the vocabulary from Chapter 1.

  1. “My name is … and I am from …”
  2. “What is your name [masculine/feminine]?”
  3. “I am Egyptian.”
  4. “I am from Egypt.”
  5. “Where are you from?”
  6. “What is your profession?”
  7. “I am a teacher.”
  8. “I am fine, thanks.”
  9. “Good morning!”
  10. “Goodbye! See you later!”

3.2 Singular Pronouns

In Arabic, personal pronouns change depending on gender and number. Here are the singular pronouns:

English Arabic Pronunciation
I أَنَا anā
You (masc.) أَنْتَ anta
You (fem.) أَنْتِ anti
He هُوَ huwa
She هِيَ hiya
Possessive Endings Tip!

To express possession (like my book, your phone, his teacher), Arabic uses suffixes attached to the end of the noun. Here are the common possessive endings for singular pronouns:

  • ي (ـي) for أَنَا → كِتَابِي (my book)
  • كَ (ـكَ) for أَنْتَ → كِتَابُكَ (your book, masc.)
  • كِ (ـكِ) for أَنْتِ → كِتَابُكِ (your book, fem.)
  • هُ (ـهُ) for هُوَ → كِتَابُهُ (his book)
  • هَا (ـهَا) for هِيَ → كِتَابُهَا (her book)

These suffixes are directly attached to nouns to show ownership.

3.3 Nationalities

Nationalities in Arabic are based on the name of the country and are modified by adding masculine or feminine endings. These follow regular patterns and are important for introducing yourself or describing others.

Country Roots & Nationalities
Country Root (Base Word) Nationality (Masc. / Fem.)
Egypt مِصْر مِصْرِيّ / مِصْرِيَّة
Somalia الصُّومَال صُومَالِيّ / صُومَالِيَّة
America أَمْرِيكَا أَمْرِيكِيّ / أَمْرِيكِيَّة

3.3.1 Examples:

  • أَنَا مِصْرِيّ – I am Egyptian (male)
  • أَنَا مِصْرِيَّة – I am Egyptian (female)
  • هُوَ صُومَالِيّ – He is Somali
  • هِيَ أَمْرِيكِيَّة – She is American

Note: The masculine form usually ends in ـِيّ, and the feminine form ends in ـِيَّة.

3.3.2 Practice Questions

Try answering the following using the correct nationality form:

  1. مَا جِنْسِيَّتُكَ؟ (What is your nationality? — to a male)
  2. مَا جِنْسِيَّتُكِ؟ (What is your nationality? — to a female)
  3. Translate:
    1. I am American (female)
    2. He is Egyptian
    3. She is Somali

3.4 Practice: A Conversation Between Two Friends

Friend 1: Hello!
Friend 2: Hello and welcome!
Friend 1: How are you?
Friend 2: I’m fine, thank God. And you?
Friend 1: I’m fine. What is your name?
Friend 2: My name is Ahmed. What is your name?
Friend 1: My name is Sarah. Where are you from?
Friend 2: I am from Egypt. And you?
Friend 1: I am from America. What is your job?
Friend 2: I am a teacher. And you?
Friend 1: I am a student. What is your address?
Friend 2: My address is 12 Cairo Street. What is your address?
Friend 1: My address is 8 Nile Avenue. What is your phone number?
Friend 2: My mobile number is 010-1234-5678. What is your number?
Friend 1: My phone number is 011-9876-5432. What is your email?
Friend 2: My email is ahmed@gmail.com. And yours?
Friend 1: My email is sarah@email.com.
Friend 2: Nice to meet you!
Friend 1: Nice to meet you too!

3.5 The Present Simple Tense With Singular Pronouns

In Arabic, verbs in the present tense are based on three-letter roots. Let’s start with the verb عَمِلَ (to work) and see how it changes with singular pronouns in the present tense.

Pronoun Present Tense Verb Example Sentence
I أَعْمَلُ أَنَا أَعْمَلُ مُتَرْجِمًا – I work as a translator
You (m) تَعْمَلُ أَنْتَ تَعْمَلُ مُتَرْجِمًا – You (m) work as a translator
You (f) تَعْمَلِينَ أَنْتِ تَعْمَلِينَ مُتَرْجِمَةً – You (f) work as a translator
He يَعْمَلُ هُوَ يَعْمَلُ مُتَرْجِمًا – He works as a translator
She تَعْمَلُ هِيَ تَعْمَلُ مُتَرْجِمَةً – She works as a translator

Note: Feminine job titles and pronouns require feminine verb forms and endings, like ـينَ and ـة.

3.5.1 Practice with These Root Verbs:

Verb Root Meaning Present Tense (He)
عَمِلَ to work يَعْمَلُ
كَتَبَ to write يَكْتُبُ
قَرَأَ to read يَقْرَأُ
نَظَرَ to look يَنْظُرُ
فَهِمَ to understand يَفْهَمُ

3.5.2 Practice Prompts:

Try writing these for each singular pronoun (أنا، أنتَ، أنتِ، هو، هي):

  1. “___ writes an email.”
  2. “___ reads the book.”
  3. “___ looks at the address.”
  4. “___ understands the lesson.”
  5. “___ works as a teacher.”

Mix masculine and feminine forms!

3.6 Quick Review Section

Review Checklist

Before moving on, make sure you can:

A Scholar’s Reflection

“اللغة العربية هي من أغنى اللغات وأوسعها، وهي بحرٌ لا ساحل له.”
“The Arabic language is among the richest and most expansive languages; it is a sea without a shore.”
— Ibn Jinnī, famed linguist and grammarian

4 الْعَائِلَة – The Family

Family is the foundation of many conversations in Arabic. In this unit, you’ll learn how to introduce your family members, describe relationships, and talk about where people live and what they do.

4.1 Key Vocabulary and Phrases

English Arabic
Family / Household أُسْرَة / عَائِلَة
Grandfather جَدّ
Grandmother جَدَّة
Father / Parent أَب / وَالِد
Mother / Parent أُمّ / وَالِدَة
Brother أَخ
Sister أُخْت
Son / Daughter اِبْن / اِبْنَة
Boy / Girl وَلَد / بِنْت
Grandson / Granddaughter حَفِيد / حَفِيدَة
Twin brother أَخ تَوْأَم
Paternal uncle عَمّ
Maternal uncle خَال
Paternal aunt عَمَّة
Maternal aunt خَالَة
Husband / Wife زَوْج / زَوْجَة
Relative / Kin قَرِيب / أَقَارِب
Father-in-law / Mother-in-law حَم / حَمَاة
Married مُتَزَوِّج / مُتَزَوِّجَة
Fiancé / Fiancée خَاطِب / مَخْطُوبَة
Bachelor (unmarried) عَزَب
Miss / Young lady آنِسَة
Surname / Title لَقَب / أَلْقَاب

4.2 Talking About Daily Life

English Arabic
He lives in… يَسْكُنُ فِي…
She studies تَدْرُس
He loves / likes يُحِبُّ
He comments يُعَلِّق
He receives / meets يَسْتَقْبِل
He prepares / makes ready يُرَتِّب
She cooks تَطْبُخ
He sits / sits down يَجْلِس

4.3 Practice Phrases

Try This!

Translate the following into Arabic using the vocabulary above:

  1. My mother and father live in Cairo.
  2. He is my maternal uncle.
  3. My sister is a student.
  4. She loves her grandmother.
  5. I am married.
  6. He is a bachelor.
  7. This is my wife and these are our children.
  8. Where does your grandfather live?
  9. She studies in the university.
  10. My aunt (paternal) cooks delicious food.

4.4 Special Occasions & Home Life

English Arabic
Bride / Bridegroom عَرُوس / عَرِيس
Food طَعَام
Road / Street طَرِيق
Decoration زِينَة
Guests ضُيُوف / ضَيْف
Salon / Reception Room صَالُون
Furniture أَثَاث

4.5 Practice: Talking About Family

Ahmed: Hello! Who is this?
Fatimah: This is my father and mother.
Ahmed: What is your father’s name?
Fatimah: His name is Yusuf.
Ahmed: Does he work?
Fatimah: Yes, he works as a teacher.
Ahmed: And your mother?
Fatimah: She cooks and takes care of the house.
Ahmed: Do you have any siblings?
Fatimah: Yes, I have one brother and two sisters.
Ahmed: Where do you live?
Fatimah: We live in Tripoli.

4.6 Verb Practice With the Family Theme

Try conjugating and writing present-tense sentences using these verbs: يَسْكُن، يُحِب، يُرَتِّب، تَدْرُس، تَطْبُخ

Pronoun Example Verb + Family Context
أَنَا أَنَا أُحِبُ جَدَّتِي – I love my grandmother
أَنْتَ أَنْتَ تَسْكُنُ مَعَ أُسْرَتِكَ – You live with your family
أَنْتِ أَنْتِ تَدْرُسِينَ فِي الْجَامِعَة – You (f) study at the university
هُوَ هُوَ يُرَتِّبُ الْغُرْفَة – He arranges the room
هِيَ هِيَ تَطْبُخُ الطَّعَام – She cooks the food
Review Checklist

5 الدِّرَاسَة – Studying

Education is a major part of life across cultures, and in Arabic, knowing how to talk about school, subjects, and study routines helps you connect and express yourself in academic and personal settings.

5.1 Key Vocabulary and Phrases

English Arabic
Class, grade صَفّ
Display screen شَاشَةُ عَرْض
Eraser مِمْحَاة
Wastebasket سَلَّةُ مُهْمَلَات
School مَدْرَسَة
Bookshelf مَكْتَبَة
Dictionary قَامُوس / مُعْجَم
Absent / Present غَائِب × حَاضِر
Page صَفْحَة
Behind / At the back خَلْف / وَرَاء
Between بَيْن
Beside بِجَانِب
Under تَحْت / أَسْفَل
To the right عَنْ يَمِين
To the left عَنْ يَسَار
University جَامِعَة
Faculty كُلِّيَّة
Good / Bad جَيِّد × سَيِّئ
Arabic language اللُّغَة العَرَبِيَّة
English language اللُّغَة الإِنْجِلِيزِيَّة
Vacation / Holiday عُطْلَة

5.2 Verbs and Phrases for the Classroom

English Arabic
He studies يَدْرُس
He thinks يُفَكِّر
He guesses يَظُنّ
He starts يَبْدَأ
He finishes يَنْتَهِي
He opens / He closes يَفْتَح × يُغْلِق
Raise / Lower اِرْفَع × اِخْفِض
Take / Here you go خُذ / تَفَضَّل
Let me have هَات
Lesson / Lecture دَرْس / مُحَاضَرَة
Course / Subject مَادَّة (ج) مَوَادّ
Idea / Opinion فِكْرَة / رَأْي
Psychology عِلْم النَّفْس
Jurisprudence الْفِقْه
Qur’an explanation التَّفْسِير
Hadith الْحَدِيث
Recitation rules التَّجْوِيد
History التَّارِيخ
Geography الْجُغْرَافْيَا

5.3 Practice Phrases

Try This!

Translate the following into Arabic using the vocabulary above:

  1. I study psychology and jurisprudence.
  2. The dictionary is beside the bookshelf.
  3. Open the book to page ten.
  4. She is present today.
  5. My course is very interesting.
  6. He finishes his lesson at two o’clock.
  7. The subject is difficult but useful.
  8. Where is the eraser?
  9. We are studying the Arabic language.
  10. The classroom is to the right.

5.4 Practice: In the Classroom

Zayd: Are you studying today?
Nour: Yes, I am studying history and psychology.
Zayd: Is the teacher present?
Nour: No, he is absent today.
Zayd: Where is your book?
Nour: It’s on the bookshelf, beside the dictionary.
Zayd: Do you like this course?
Nour: Yes, it’s good and interesting.

5.5 Verb Practice With the Studying Theme

Pronoun Example Verb + Classroom Context
أَنَا أَنَا أَدْرُسُ التَّفْسِير – I study tafsīr
أَنْتَ أَنْتَ تَفْتَحُ الكِتَاب – You open the book
أَنْتِ أَنْتِ تَفْهَمِينَ الدَّرْس – You (f) understand the lesson
هُوَ هُوَ يَبْدَأُ الدَّرْس – He starts the lesson
هِيَ هِيَ تُفَكِّرُ فِي الْجَوَاب – She is thinking of the answer
A Scholar’s Reflection

“أَخي لَنْ تَنَالَ الْعِلْمَ إِلَّا بِسِتَّةٍ
سَأُنْبِيكَ عَنْ تَفْصِيلِهَا بِبَيَانِ
ذَكَاءٍ، وَحِرْصٍ، وَاجْتِهَادٍ، وَبُلْغَةٍ
وَصُحْبَةِ أُسْتَاذٍ، وَطُولِ زَمَانِ”
“My brother, you will never attain knowledge except with six things.
I will tell you about them clearly:
intelligence, eagerness, effort, provision,
companionship of a teacher, and a long time.”
— Imām al-Shāfiʿī, on the path to knowledge

Review Checklist

6 الطَّعَام – Food and Meals

In this chapter, we explore everything related to food and meals in Arabic — from ordering at a restaurant to naming common foods and drinks. You’ll also practice useful verbs and sentence structures for daily eating routines.

Watch This!

Need help remembering all this new vocabulary?
Check out this video:
How to Memorize Arabic Vocabulary Fast!

6.1 Key Vocabulary and Phrases

English Arabic
Meal وَجْبَة (ج) وَجَبَات
Breakfast الْفَطُور
Lunch الغَدَاء
Dinner العَشَاء
Full, satisfied شَبْعَان
Hungry جَائِع
Thirsty عَطْشَان / ظَمْآن
Sated (not thirsty) رَيَّان
Before / After قَبْل / بَعْد
Hot / Cold سَاخِن / بَارِد
Fruits فَاكِهَة (ج) فَوَاكِه
Vegetables خُضَار
Chicken دَجَاجَة (ج) دَجَاج
Fish سَمَك
Bread خُبْز
Meat لَحْم (ج) لُحُوم
Rice أُرْز
Eggs بَيْض
Cheese جُبْن
Yoghurt زَبَادِي
Pickles مُخَلَّل / طُرْشِي
Honey عَسَل
Dessert حَلْوَى
Falafel فَلاَفِل / طَعْمِيَّة
Tea شَاي
Coffee قَهْوَة
Juice عَصِير (ج) عَصَائِر
Milk لَبَن / حَلِيب
Water مَاء (ج) مِيَاه
Sugar سُكَّر
Jam مُرَبَّى
Butter زُبْدَة
Olives زَيْتُون

6.2 At the Restaurant

English Arabic
Restaurant مَطْعَم
Waiter نَادِل / عَامِل الْمَطْعَم
Menu قَائِمَة الطَّعَام
Bill / Check الحِسَاب
Change البَاقِي
Customer زَبُون
Reserved / Vacant مَحْجُوز / خَالٍ
Table مَائِدَة / طَاوِلَة
Glass / Cup كُوب / فِنْجَان / كَأْس
Plate طَبَق
Spoon / Fork / Knife مِلْعَقَة / شَوْكَة / سِكِّين
Napkin مِنْدِيل وَرَقِي
Water bottle زُجَاجَة مَاء
Carbonated water مِيَاه غَازِيَّة
Lemon juice عَصِير لَيْمُون
Fried potatoes بَطَاطِس مَقْلِيَّة
Kebab / Kofta كَبَاب مَشْوِي / كُفْتَة
Shrimp جَمْبَرِي
Soup حَسَاء
Try This!

Translate the following using the vocabulary above:

  1. I want a chicken sandwich.
  2. I am thirsty — I want lemon juice.
  3. Where is the restaurant?
  4. The coffee is hot.
  5. The salad is cold.

6.3 Useful Verbs with Food

Arabic Verb English
يَأْكُل He eats
يَتَنَاوَل He has / consumes (a meal)
يَشْرَب He drinks
يُرِيد He wants
يُنَادِي He calls (the waiter)
تَطْلُب You order / request

6.3.1 Example Sentences:

  • أَنَا أَتَنَاوَلُ الْفَطُورَ فِي السَّاعَةِ السَّابِعَةِ.
    I eat breakfast at 7:00.

  • هُوَ يَشْرَبُ الشَّايَ وَالْقَهْوَةَ.
    He drinks tea and coffee.

  • نُرِيدُ قَائِمَةَ الطَّعَامِ، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.
    We would like the menu, please.

6.4 Dialogue: At the Restaurant

Waiter: Welcome!
Customer: Thank you. Is this table free?
Waiter: No, it’s reserved. But this one is free.
Customer: Thank you. Can I see the menu?
Waiter: Of course. Here you go.
Customer: I want grilled fish and lemon juice.
Waiter: Anything else?
Customer: No, thank you.
Waiter: The bill, sir?
Customer: Yes, here you go. Keep the change.
Waiter: Thank you very much!

6.5 Verb Practice with Singular Pronouns

Let’s look at يَأْكُلُ (he eats) and يَشْرَبُ (he drinks) across the singular pronouns:

Pronoun Eat = يَأْكُل Drink = يَشْرَب
أَنَا آكُلُ أَشْرَبُ
أَنْتَ تَأْكُلُ تَشْرَبُ
أَنْتِ تَأْكُلِينَ تَشْرَبِينَ
هُوَ يَأْكُلُ يَشْرَبُ
هِيَ تَأْكُلُ تَشْرَبُ

Note: These verbs are irregular in the past tense but regular in the present.

Quick Questions

Try answering in Arabic:

  1. مَاذَا تُرِيدُ لِلغَدَاءِ؟ – What do you want for lunch?
  2. هَلْ تُرِيدُ مَاءً أَوْ عَصِيرًا؟ – Do you want water or juice?
  3. أَيْنَ الْمَطْعَم؟ – Where is the restaurant?
  4. مَا هَذِهِ الْوَجْبَة؟ – What is this meal?
A Scholar’s Reflection

قَالَ الإِمَامُ الشَّافِعِيُّ:
“مَا شَبِعْتُ مُنْذُ سِتَّةَ عَشَرَ سَنَةً، لِأَنَّ الشِّبَعَ يُثَقِّلُ الْبَدَنَ، وَيُقَسِّي الْقَلْبَ، وَيُزِيلُ الْفِطْنَةَ، وَيَجْلِبُ النُّعَاسَ، وَيُضْعِفُ صَاحِبَهُ عَنِ الْعِبَادَةِ.”

“I have not eaten to fullness for sixteen years, because satiety burdens the body, hardens the heart, removes sharpness of mind, brings on sleep, and weakens one from worship.”

— Imām al-Shāfiʿī

6.6 Quick Review Checklist

Review Goals

7 الأوقات والأسعار - Times and Prices

Time and money shape much of our daily life and planning. In this unit, you’ll learn how to tell time, understand prices and currency, and talk about schedules, appointments, and travel plans—all essential skills for navigating everyday situations in Arabic.

7.1 Key Vocabulary and Phrases

English Arabic
Time, appointed time مُوْعِد / وَقْت
It’s 1 o’clock sharp الوَاحِدَة تَمَامًا
Fifteen minutes to … إِلَّا رُبْعًا
Twenty minutes to … إِلَّا ثُلْثًا
Half past … وَالنِّصْف
Employee مُوَظَّف
Ticket تَذْكِرَة سَفَر
Airline office مَكْتَب الطَّيَرَان
By day × By night نَهَارًا × لَيْلًا
Quarter past … وَالرُّبْع
An hour - a minute - a second سَاعَة - دَقِيقَة - ثَانِيَة
Airport مَطَار
Plane, airplane طَائِرَة
Train قِطَار
Bus حَافِلَة
Twenty past … وَالثُّلْث
New × Old جَدِيد × قَدِيم
(She) goes تَذْهَب
(He) sleeps يَنَام
(She) arrives at تَصِلُ
In the morning × In the evening صَبَاحًا × مَسَاءً
The next × The previous التَّالِي × السَّابِق
Before noon × In the afternoon قَبْلَ الظُّهْر × بَعْدَ الظُّهْر

7.1.1 Currency & Exchange

English Arabic
Late × Early مُتَأَخِّر × مُبَكِّر
Exchange office مَكْتَب الصِّرَافَة
Rate سِعْر (ج) أَسْعَار
US dollar دُوْلَار أَمْرِيكِي
Euro يُورُو
Pound sterling جُنَيْه إِنْجِلِيزِي
Egyptian pound جُنَيْه مِصْرِي
Japanese yen يِن يَابَانِي
Saudi riyal رِيَال سَعُودِي
UAE dirham دِرْهَم إِمَارَاتِي
Kuwaiti dinar دِينَار كُوَيْتِي
Currency عُمْلَة (ج) عُمْلَات
Money, cash نُقُود
Turkish lira لِيرَة تُرْكِيَّة
Change نُقُود

7.1.2 Banking & Counting

English Arabic
(He) exchanges يُبَدِّل
(He) counts يَعُدُّ
Bank بَنْك / مَصْرِف
Central bank البَنْك المَرْكَزِي
Fifty piasters نِصْف جُنَيْه
Twenty-five piasters رُبْع جُنَيْه

7.1.3 Prayer Times

English Arabic
Prayer Times مَوَاقِيتُ الصَّلَاة
Adhan الأَذَان
Dawn prayer الفَجْر
Sunrise prayer الشُّرُوق
Noon prayer الظُّهْر
Afternoon prayer العَصْر
Sunset prayer المَغْرِب
Evening prayer العِشَاء

7.2 Translation Practice

Translate the following into Arabic
  1. I go to the airport at one o’clock sharp.
  2. The bus arrives at a quarter past four.
  3. He exchanges money at the bank.
  4. The prayer times are written on the wall.
  5. I sleep at night and go to work in the morning.
  6. The price of the ticket is ten dollars.
  7. I want to buy twenty-five piasters of change.

7.3 Practice Conjugation

Verb Practice: Conjugate

Practice conjugating these important verbs across pronouns:

  • ذَهَبَ (to go)
  • نَامَ (to sleep)
  • وَصَلَ (to arrive)
  • بَدَّلَ (to exchange)
  • عَدَّ (to count)

Try writing full sentences using each form.

Review Checklist